Florida Senate - 2013                (Corrected Copy)    SR 1772
       
       
       
       By Senator Joyner
       
       
       
       
       19-02082-13                                           20131772__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution remembering the lifetime public service
    3         of retired Florida Supreme Court Justice and former
    4         Senator Frederick “Fred” Brennan Karl and recognizing
    5         his legacy of integrity and his promotion of the
    6         highest ethical standards in government.
    7  
    8         WHEREAS, native son Frederick “Fred” Brennan Karl was born
    9  in Daytona Beach on May 14, 1924, and
   10         WHEREAS, at age 18, Fred Karl joined the United States
   11  Army, serving in the European Theater of Operations in the 20th
   12  and 2nd Armored Divisions, and
   13         WHEREAS, Fred Karl was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge,
   14  which he later chronicled in his book Phython Tales, and was
   15  awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart,
   16  and
   17         WHEREAS, after World War II, Fred Karl graduated from the
   18  University of Florida and Stetson University College of Law, and
   19         WHEREAS, in 1956, Fred Karl was elected to the Florida
   20  House of Representatives, where he represented the people of the
   21  14th District until 1964, and
   22         WHEREAS, in 1968, Fred Karl returned to Tallahassee to
   23  represent the people of the 14th District in the Florida Senate,
   24  where he served until 1971, and
   25         WHEREAS, in 1977, Fred Karl was elected to the Florida
   26  Supreme Court, where he served from 1977 through 1978, and
   27         WHEREAS, Fred Karl went on to serve as this state’s first
   28  Public Counsel, representing consumers in cases brought against
   29  public utilities, and later held the position of Hillsborough
   30  County Attorney and County Manager, and
   31         WHEREAS, it was in this position that Fred Karl embarked on
   32  the vital reorganization and countless economic development
   33  projects that led the Tampa Bay area to become the vibrant
   34  community that it is today, and
   35         WHEREAS, at an age when many might consider retirement,
   36  Fred Karl took the reins of the then-struggling Tampa General
   37  Hospital, transforming its operations and leading it back to
   38  economic viability, and
   39         WHEREAS, while Fred Karl is remembered in political circles
   40  as one of Hillsborough County’s greatest political mentors and
   41  problem solvers, he is remembered by his friends and family for
   42  his exuberance, vitality, cheerfulness, and love of life, and
   43         WHEREAS, Fred Karl was a devoted husband to his wife,
   44  Mercedes, a loving and proud father to his children, Cynthia,
   45  Linda, Mary, Fred, and James, and a doting grandfather of
   46  fifteen and great-grandfather of four, all of whom will miss him
   47  greatly, NOW, THEREFORE,
   48  
   49  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   50  
   51         That we remember the life of retired Florida Supreme Court
   52  Justice and former Senator Frederick “Fred” Brennan Karl and
   53  extend our heartfelt sympathy to his friends, family, and the
   54  entire Hillsborough County community as they mourn the loss of
   55  this outstanding friend, husband, father, and public servant.